*At New Hope Presbyterian, we are adapting the way we do Worship! Beginning Saturday, August 20, 2016 and continuing through to the end of the year, we will be worshipping on Saturday evenings! All are welcome to join us for SatChat, our new form of "Sunday School" at 4pm followed by Worship at 5pm. Please, join us!

Our Mission: We are a supportive welcoming community accepting of all people.We strive to serve our neighbors as we follow Christ and His example for living.

BOOK CLUB INFORMATION:

The Fall Book Club invites everyone! We are reading: Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith, by Anne Lamott.

Paperback copies of the book are available for everyone who wants to join the group.

We meet on the third Wednesdays of each month, through next March. That breaks the book (275 pages total) into small pieces that we can easily discuss.

If you would like to make a donation towards the cost of the books, the church will welcome it, but it is not required! The cost of each book is $9.90. (The book is also available for Kindle on amazon.com)

- Erik

If interested in joining our Fall Book Club, please call the church office and let us know! (956) 277.0708.

Luke 16:8-9 - "The master commended the dishonest manager because he acted cleverly. People who belong to this world are more clever in dealing with their peers than are people who belong to the light. I tell you, use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves so that when it's gone, you will be welcomed into the eternal homes."

Okay, admittedly, this is a hard and weird statement. Many have had a hard time with Jesus saying this for centuries. There are two types of parables, the ones there we should be like them, and ones where we are shown how much better God or God's way is. This is the second type. The manager is praised for his wits, not his actions. Christ's followers are encouraged not to be crooks but to be shrewd and wise like the manager, for God's Kingdom. We are to use what God has given us and use it well. (Think of the Parable of the Talents.)

Wicked wealth only lasts so long. It runs out. What will we invest our lives in - things that last (eternally) or things that run out? Also, I believe Jesus is saying that no matter what we start with (even wicked wealth), it can be redeemed and transformed. God can make lemons into lemonade or junk into a masterpiece. Even more miraculous, God can take us and make us saints. Grace.

- Rock Higgins

Prayer: "Lord, all my time is in your hands. All my power, all my wealth, even all of myself comes from you. I play at thinking that I deserve any of this, instead of seeing that all that I have and all that I am are a gift - grace from you. Help me to use these good gifts you showered upon me, every second, every penny, every influential word, to your honor and glory this day. Amen."

This week's Scripture reading, devotional, and prayer fromd365.org a daily devotional site produced and published by Passport, Inc. For additional text, archived devotions, information on the writer, music, and much more - CLICK HERE!